Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-10-23
CHAPTER II.

at is one fact, sir, that am a widow, "
she said. SIT is another fact that I'm
going to be married again in week time. "
There she paused and smiled ut some
thought that occurred to her. DR.. Wy
brow was not iayorably impressed by her
smile-there was something at once sad
and cruel in it. 1t came slowly and it went
away suddenly. He began TO doubt
whether he had been wise in Getting on his
first impression. His mind reverted to
the commonplace patients and the discover
able maladies that were waiting for him,
with certain tender regret.
The lady went on:
My approaching marriage" she said,
has one embarrassing circumstance con-
nected with it. The gentleman whose
wife | am TO be was engaged to another
lady when he happened to meet with me,
abroad-that lady, mind, being of his own
blood aud family, related to him az his
cousin. / have iunoCeutly robbed her Of
her lover and destroyed her prospects in
life InnOcently, | Say-because ne told
me nothing of his engagement until after
had accepted him. When we next met in
England-and when there was danger, no
doubt, of the affair coming to my kuowl-
edge-he told me the truth. was naturally
indignant. He had his excuse ready. He
showed me letter from the lady herself
releasing him from his engagement A
more noble. more high minded letter
never read in my lite. l cried over i'll
who have no tears in me for sorrow of my
own If the letter had left him any hroe
of being forgiven would have positively
refused to marry him. But the fImness
of it-withOut anger, without a word OF re-
prOach, with heartfelt wishes even for his
happineSs-the firmness Of it, say, left
him no hope. He appealed TO my COM
passion; he appealed to his love for me.
You know what women are. was, toe
soft hearted. said, Very we'll; yes! So
it ended In a week more (I tremble as
repead it, we are to be- married"
She did really tremble she was obliged
to pause and compose herslf, before she
could 20 on. The doctor, waiting for more
facts, began TO fear that he stood COM
mitted to long story.
Forgive me for reminding yOu that |
have suffering persons waiting to see me, "
he said. THE sooner you can come to
the point the better for my patients and
for me"
The strange smile-at once so sad and
so cruel-showed itself again on the lady 5
lips.
Every word l have said is to the
point, she answered. You will see it
yourself in moment more"
She resumed her narrative.
Yesterday you need fear no long story,
sir; only yesterday was among the
visitors at one of your English luncheon
parties. A lady, pefect stranger to me-,
came in late-after we had left the table,
and had retired to the draw
ing room. She happened to take
q chair near me; and we were pre-
sented to each other. knew her by name
as she knew me. 1t was the woman
whom | had robbed of her lover, the wo.
man who had written the noble letter.
Now listen! you were impatient with me
for not interesting you in what / said Just
now. | said il 10 satisfy your mind that
had no enmity of feeling toward the lady,
on my side. / admired her, | felt for her
Il had no cause To reproaCh myself. This
is very important, as yOu will presently
see. On her side, / have no reason TO be
assured that the circumstances had been
truly explained 10 her, and that she I'M
derstCOd was in no way TO blame. Now.
knowing all these necessary things IS you
do, explain to me, if you eau. why, when |
rose and met that woman's eyes looking at
me, I turuedcOld from head to foot, and
shuddGred, and shiyered, and knew
what a deadly panic tCGr was for the
first time in my life "
The doctor began to feel interested at
last
Was there anything remarkable in the
lady's personal appearance" he asked.
Nothing whateverm WAS the vehement
reply. Here is the true description Of
her: The ordinary English lady; the clear
cold blue ewes, the fine rosy complexion,
the inauimately polite manner, the large
good humored mouth, the too plump
cheeks and chin; these, and nothing more. "
WAS there anything in her expression,
when you first looked at her, that took you
by SURPRISE
There was natural curiosity to see the
woman who had been preferred to her; and
perhaps some establishment also, not to see
a more engaging and more beautiful per-
son; but those feelings restrained within
the limits of good breeding, and both not
lasting for more than a few moments
so far as could see l say so far, because
the horrible sgitatation that she commune
Gated to NE disturbed my Judgment. If
could have got to the door / would have
run out of the room, she frightened me so;
was not even able to stand up-I sunk
Daek IN my chair; stared horror struck at
the calm blue eyes that were only looking
At me with surprise. To say they affected
me IKE the eyes of the serpent is to